SBS WorldWatch shutting down as linear channel, moving to SBS On Demand

SBS Worldwatch in its digital form

Australian news and current affairs channel SBS WorldWatch will transition from a linear TV channel to a digital-only service on the broadcaster’s free streamer next month.

The SBS WorldWatch linear TV channel, which provides international news in 38 languages from 49 broadcasters around the world, will close on September 18.

To help audiences make the transition, SBS is providing multilingual information and guidance through SBS Audio language programmes and on SBS WorldWatch channel 35 ahead of the change.

SBS said the move gives multilingual Australians more content, greater choice and flexibility in when and how they watch international news, as audiences increasingly shift to digital platforms.

Building on its existing digital service as the linear channel closes, SBS WorldWatch will expand over the coming weeks to include two or more daily bulletins in most languages.

SBS said this is more content than could be accommodated on a single linear channel, with audiences able to watch bulletins as soon as they become available, rather than waiting for a scheduled broadcast.

SBS On Demand also features two 24-hour FAST channels for English-language news: Euronews and France 24.

It comes as more Australians choose to watch SBS On Demand over its linear channels. The broadcaster pointed to its recent broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which reached 18.1 million Australians, with most watching via SBS On Demand.

The full SBS On Demand offering features more than 15,000 hours of local and international programming across more than 60 languages, spanning news and current affairs, documentaries, drama, world movies, entertainment, food, children’s content and sport.

SBS director of news and current affairs, Mandi Wicks, said: “SBS WorldWatch plays an important role in connecting Australians with news and perspectives from around the world, in their preferred language.

“Moving to SBS On Demand gives us the opportunity to build on that service, with more international news bulletins and greater flexibility for audiences to decide when and how they watch.

“We recognise this will be a change for some audiences who are accustomed to watching SBS WorldWatch on linear television. We’re committed to supporting them through the transition, while continuing to evolve our services for the future.”